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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I be fined - has anyone actually been fined?

221 replies

Weathergames · 27/05/2014 20:51

Hi, I want to take my 3 kids away in July - meaning they would miss the last 3 days of term when all they do is watch films DS1 will have left by then anyway.

Can the school actually fine me? Has anyone been fined for taking their kids out for a few days (kids have 100% attendance).

I work for the LA (not the same as where kids are at school) in attendance and I know the LA I work for would not spend money prosecuting me for 3 days absence.

OP posts:
audley · 27/05/2014 21:38

My boys school has their absence policy on the website. For us we can have five days unauthorised absence per term. I try to use them all every term. Enjoy your holiday :D

Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 21:40

My DS was 16 in September.

OP posts:
ILoveCoreyHaim · 27/05/2014 21:42

My school allow holidays to kids with full attendance they were took out the last week of term last year. DDS friend also just done a week away allowed as had full attendance.

clam · 27/05/2014 21:42

I don't see how they could authorise holidays only for children who've had the good fortune to avoid ill health and therefore clocked up 100% attendance. Don't see why those kids "deserve" a term-time holiday more than my dd, who's suffered a debilitating chronic illness the last two years.

johnworf · 27/05/2014 21:43

We were fined £60 each but I believe this is going up to £120 per parent soon - no idea when though.

audley · 27/05/2014 21:46

Clam ill health is classed as authorised absence so you could still take unauthorised absence, at our school anyway. Best wishes to your daughter, sounds dreadful.

merlehaggard · 27/05/2014 21:47

I don't know about the fining but agree that the last days of school are spent doing nothing at all productive. At best, it is topic related work searches or vaguely related fun quizzes, from my experience of my children's schools. To be honest, I don't have a big problem with the fining because I don't take children out of school term time. I used to years ago but I stopped it when my eldest started secondary school. I don't do it because I feel that at secondary, on the whole, they miss too much. I would also never have taken her out of primary had she not been one of the higher achievers. I do agree however that they wouldn't actually be missing anything by not attending the last few days of term. I also agree that we should be able to make our own judgment call.

WorraLiberty · 27/05/2014 21:51

100% attendance is quite an achievement, especially for all 3 of your children.

I think schools should be looking to MN to find out how to achieve this for their pupils.

They should start with the "I want to take my child on a term time holiday" threads...because the OP's always have kids with 100% attendance.

Amazing really

ILoveCoreyHaim · 27/05/2014 21:51

IDK clan probably up to the school, ours might allow it if sickness. All I know is this is what happened at mine. There's always kids off for days here and there from what I can tell. Loads were off Friday gone as the school was closed for elections on Thur, then broke up after school on Fri. Seemed to be loads of kids missing on Fri. My kids all have full attendance and have for the past 2 year. DD3 broke her arm so she won't have full attendance this year with hospital visits but I guess they are shown as medical not sick days.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/05/2014 21:53

Couldn't give a shit what people think if decisions I take for my own children

An interesting attitude, given that this particular "decision" involves teaching them to break the rules ...

clam · 27/05/2014 21:54

Thanks audley.
Percentage attendance (certificates) don't differentiate between authorised and unauthorised, however.
Am fed up with all this State interference in parenting our kids. Glad one of mine's about to leave school and the other is nearly done. Won't help dh and me with holidays though, as we're both in education and stuck with hiked prices until we retire.

Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 21:55

My kids have 100% attendance because they are healthy kids and I work full time.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 27/05/2014 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

puddymuddles · 27/05/2014 22:02

Why don't you just phone up and say they are sick?

TalkinPeace · 27/05/2014 22:04

School leaving age is 17 (rising to 18 next year)

Threads like this are proof of why British kids have such poor employability skills.
Their parents do not think that discipline rules.
Kids learn to assume that they know better.
Then wonder why they do not get jobs later.

If you take your kids out of school for a holiday you are teaching them a lesson that may trash their employment chances for ever.

ILoveCoreyHaim · 27/05/2014 22:06

So when I took mine out summer 2013 it was because the head was allowed to authorise it. This year we are going In school holidays but I'm guessing if I had applied this year she would have said no as down to LA? DDS friend though a couple of weeks ago apparently had her holidays authorised by the head so that's confusing.

Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 22:08

I have no problem with my kids knowing it's ok to sometimes break the rules. I need to teach them to conform with really stupid rules? When they see me work my arse off bringing them up on my own and see their mates have holidays with their parents.

I have no problem doing it at all I want to relax with my kids for 7 days. DS1 is nearly 17 - how much longer will he WANT to?

When the rules aren't fair - and neither are holiday prices.

OP posts:
wigglylines · 27/05/2014 22:09

"An interesting attitude, given that this particular "decision" involves teaching them to break the rules ..."

I'm quite comfortable with teaching my DC that breaking the rules is sometimes OK, aren't you?

I certainly won't be teaching my DC that breaking the rules is never OK, as I don't believe that. They have brains, morals and consciences. I expect them to exercise them when making decisions, not just blindly follow rules because they are rules.

Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 22:11

Seriously? Damaging his employability? Hmm

He is employed he works weekends and evenings and my 14 yr old DD has had a paper round since she was 14.

It's 3 days. Not even 5.

OP posts:
audley · 27/05/2014 22:11

talkin have you spent much time in school with your kids? In many cases schools are failing our children. Following rules for the sake of it teaches children to be mindless and undiscerning. Parents should always remain firmly in charge of their children's education, whether they choose to delegate this responsibility to the state or not.

Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 22:12

wigglylines Exactly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Weathergames · 27/05/2014 22:14

The reason my kids work for money is because they have seen me do that all their lives and I am a good role model.

A foreign holiday is a massive treat for them.

OP posts:
tiggytape · 27/05/2014 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

feathermucker · 27/05/2014 22:19

I should imagine that the OP is 'getting defensive' (though I really dont think she was) due to some of the answers she has received.

OP, you know your children better than anyone. You can judge whether or not they'll be affected by missing a few days of school.

Phone and say they've got D and V Wink

feathermucker · 27/05/2014 22:20

I should imagine that the OP is 'getting defensive' (though I really dont think she was) due to some of the answers she has received.

OP, you know your children better than anyone. You can judge whether or not they'll be affected by missing a few days of school.

Phone and say they've got D and V Wink